Irish band Lúnasa to perform March 9 as part of Page Series

(3/5/2018)

Following sold-out houses in Europe and across North America, Saint Mary’s University will host Irish music group Lúnasa on its 20th anniversary tour. The “hottest Irish acoustic group on the planet” (The New York Times) will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 9, as part of the 2017-2018 Page Series.

Lúnasa has been performing around the world since it formed in 1997. The band consists of five members, each playing a number of instruments, including flutes, low whistles, tin whistles, double bass, guitar, fiddle, and uilleann pipes. Group members Kevin Crawford, Trevor Hutchinson, Ed Boyd, Colin Farrell, and Cillian Vallely have all made a name for themselves individually. Crawford toured with Martin Hayes and John Doyle, going by the name Teetotalers. Hutchinson went on a tour through Europe with his old band mates, The Waterboys. Boyd toured with Flook and Cara Dillon, and Vallely worked with Bruce Springsteen on his album “High Hopes,” which reached number one on the charts after its release.

The show will feature selections from the group’s most recent album, “Cas” (its first in seven years), as well as favorites from the band’s 20-year history. “Cas” marks the first time Lúnasa has collaborated with vocalists, among them Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Tim O’Brien. Although the band is not traveling with the vocalists, Lúnasa will bring audience members a show that will take them into the heart of Irish music tradition.

Audience members are invited to learn more about Lúnasa and its music at a “Page in History” program on Friday, March 9, at 3 p.m. at the Winona Count History Center (160 Johnson Street). The band will discuss its music in addition to performing several songs. This event is free and open to the public.

Tickets for Lúnasa’s 7:30 p.m. Page Series concert are $27 for adults and $24 for students and seniors. For more information or to order, visit pagetheatre.org or call the Performance Center box office at 507-457-1715 from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

About the Performance Center

Serving over 25,000 visitors per year, the goal of the Performance Center at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is to be Southeast Minnesota’s premiere performing arts center, bringing artists and community together through imaginative programming, unique collaborations, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service. The Performance Center strives to be the venue through which artists and community connect, where audiences can experience a variety of cultures through quality performances of music, theater and dance, and discover the relevance of the arts in their daily lives.

Page Series activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Educational and community programs are made possible through the support of the Xcel Energy Foundation and the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation.

About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of leadership and service. At Saint Mary’s, students find in every classroom — whether in person or online — a relationship-driven, person-centered education. Through intense inquiry, students discover the truths in the world and the character within. Founded in 1912 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota enrolls 5,700 students at its residential undergraduate college in Winona and its schools of graduate and professional programs, based in Minneapolis but extending worldwide. Saint Mary’s offers respected and affordable programs in a variety of areas leading to bachelor’s, bachelor’s completion, master’s, certificate, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Learn more at smumn.edu.